Restaurant Consumer Trends: Top 10 Key Findings
- $4.03 trillion: Projected global restaurant and foodservice market size in 2025, up from $3.48 trillion in 2024.
- 75% of restaurant traffic is now off-premises (takeout, delivery, drive-thru).
- 91% of diners have noticed menu price increases; 80% use BOGO deals or real-time specials to save.
- 58% of Millennials prefer self-order kiosks, signaling a strong shift toward self-service tech.
- 65% of drive-thru users and 60% of takeout/delivery users say loyalty programs influence their dining choices.
- 74% of consumers are more likely to return after a unique or memorable dining experience.
- 88% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations; 74% choose where to eat based on social media.
- 75% of diners prefer eco-friendly restaurants; 59% are more likely to choose seasonal or health-forward dishes.
As inflation persists and competition grows, understanding how people choose, spend and return to restaurants is more important than ever.
This report explores key restaurant consumer trends for 2025, backed by credible data and emerging patterns.
Market Overview: Size & Growth
The global restaurant and foodservice sector is estimated to reach $4.03 trillion in 2025, up from $3.48 trillion in 2024 — reflecting a 7.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Full-service restaurants are expected to generate around $1.65 trillion, while quick-service restaurants (QSRs) are on track to grow from $265.9 billion in 2024 to $381.8 billion by 2033.
Cafés, bars and casual dining venues are also expanding, with 2025 revenues expected to hit $502.6 billion.
This growth reflects strong consumer demand for dining out, takeout and delivery.
Spending is now split between convenience (QSRs), full-service experiences and newer formats like virtual brands and ghost kitchens.
In the U.S., the National Restaurant Association estimates $1.5 trillion in 2025 foodservice sales, with 15.9 million employed — up 200,000 from 2024.
Restaurants are responding by investing in digital tools, loyalty programs and personalized service.
Consumer Spending Patterns
Despite continued inflation, U.S. restaurant spending remains steady.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumer spending on food away from home rose 8.1% in 2023 — a sign that Americans are still prioritizing dining out even as prices climb.
In early 2025, OpenTable reported consistent year-over-year growth in seated diner volume, with some weeks showing up to 25% increases compared to 2024.
Spending behavior is also shifting. 91% of diners noticed menu price hike
This suggests that many consumers are dining out less frequently but more intentionally.
Off‑Premises & Takeout Culture
Off-premises dining now accounts for 75% of restaurant traffic, including takeout, delivery and drive-thru.
Millennials and Gen Z increased their takeout use by 60% year-over-year. 47% of adults order takeout weekly, and 41% consider delivery essential.
Menus now feature bundled meals, cold snacks and packaged cocktails.
In states with relaxed laws, alcohol-to-go remains common. Many restaurants also run virtual kitchens or have dedicated pickup lanes.
This shift is reshaping consumer restaurant trends.
Ordering Tech and Operational Efficiency
Digital ordering is now firmly embedded in the dining experience. 58% of Millennials prefer self-order kiosks, reflecting a generational shift toward self-service and speed.
This preference is also driving the adoption of other contactless solutions — QR-code menus have become increasingly common, helping restaurants streamline ordering, reduce wait times and improve table turnover during peak hours.
To support this shift, restaurants are also investing in back-of-house technology like kitchen display systems, CRM platforms and AI-powered tools.
These systems not only help manage labor shortages but also enable smarter demand forecasting and more personalized guest interactions.
Value, Loyalty & Pricing
Value remains a driving force in consumer dining decisions, especially in off-premises channels.
Approximately 65% of drive-thru customers and 60% of delivery and takeout customers say that membership or loyalty programs influence their choices, highlighting the growing importance of digital incentives.
Promotions also play a key role. Around 80% of consumers report using Buy One, Get One (BOGO) deals, combo offers and other real-time specials when placing takeout orders.
Experience & Personalization
According to a 2025 report by SevenRooms, 74% of diners are more likely to return after a unique or memorable dining experience. This could mean a themed tasting menu, standout service touches or simply being greeted by name.
Personalization — including saved preferences, seating options and tailored menus — requires minimal investment but yields high returns.
Even small gestures like offering a favorite drink or dessert can deepen loyalty. And in a digital-first era, Instagram-worthy presentation often doubles as marketing, as diners share standout experiences across social media platforms.
Social Media & Online Influence
Social platforms drive dining decisions: 74% of consumers choose where to eat based on social media and 88% trust online reviews like personal recommendations.
57% reserve through social apps, 40% visit after seeing food photos and 73% switch if online engagement is ignored.
These behaviors, coupled with projected $276.7 billion of global social ad spend, reflect how digital visibility can make or break foot traffic.
Ethical & Health‑Driven Preferences
Ethical dining now influences consumer choice. U.S. data mirrors European findings: 75% of diners prefer eco-friendly restaurants; many are willing to pay extra for sustainable packaging and local sourcing.
Health trends hold strong: 59% likely choose seasonal dishes; plant-based menu items are expected by many. Transparency — about sourcing, allergens or calories — is now essential for trust.
Final Thoughts on Restaurant Consumer Trends
Dining habits in 2025 reflect a shift toward convenience, personalization and digital engagement. Consumers are still spending — but with more intention.
Off-premises dining, loyalty rewards and social media influence are now central to how people choose and return to restaurants.
Operators that adapt to these trends — by offering value, embracing technology and delivering standout experiences — are better positioned to thrive.
Today’s restaurant success is no longer just about great food, but about meeting the evolving expectations of a more informed and selective diner.
